DISQUS

Neo · 4 years ago

With regards to our group of friends, we finally decided not get anyone any items but there is unfortunately always one person that insists on getting everyone something. It makes things a bit uncomfortable but it is how it is. As with family, we have an unspoken agreement that gifts aren't purchased for the adults but we of course get items for the kids.

Neo

jim · 4 years ago

My group of friends do Secret Santa out of almost necessity because the general group is around 20 people, it's prohibitively expensive to buy everyone a gift unless it's a small one. Part of the fun in Secret Santa are the gag gifts and watching reactions...

maribeth · 4 years ago

My grad school friends host a potluck in conjunction with a white elephant gift exchange. Loads of fun and very little stress for all.

As for family, I buy gifts for my parents and siblings, and get something small for any extended family members under 18. We used to trade gifts among all the aunts and cousins and whatnot, but decided to chip in $20 each to go to a charity instead.

Dave · 4 years ago

My wife does the Secret Santa with all her old friends, but that's it. Every year the guys joke about doing it, but we think it's kind of lame to get a <$20 gift for a random person.

Paco · 4 years ago

Our group consists of 8 people in their 20's and 30's. For a few years, we all bought gifts for each other, but that just about broke the bank (and stressed all of us out from all the shopping involved). One year we did a Secret Santa, but no one followed the rules and we ended up with as many gifts as the year before.

Last year each of us contributed money to buy a water buffalo at Heifer.com. No one missed the gift exchange, no one exceeded their budgets, and it really simplified Christmas for all of us. Best of all, we were able to give to those less fortunate. We've decided to make charitible giving a Christmas tradition.